Coronavirus (Covid-19) India Updates: The death toll in India rose to 603 Tuesday while the total number of confirmed coronavirus cases crossed the 18,000 mark to reach 18,985. This includes 3,260 people who have been treated and discharged. India has so far tested 4,49,810 samples.

Meanwhile, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) said that it would advice the states to not use the rapid test kits for two days after Rajasthan stopped using the kits for delivering inaccurate results. In its daily press briefing, ICMR's Dr R R Gangakhedkar said, "Too much variations were being reported in results of rapid test kits. In next two days, kits will be tested and validated in the field by our teams. States will be advised not to use these kits for two days. ICMR will give advisory on its use in two days."

India's Covid-19 recovery rate is 17.48%: Health Ministry

India's Covid-19 recovery rate is 17.48 per cent and 3,252 patients have been cured so far, announced the Union Health Ministry Tuesday. In a routine press briefing on the coronavirus situation in the country, Joint Secretary, Health Ministry, Lav Agarwal said 61 additional districts from 23 States/UT have not reported any fresh cases in the last 14 days, adding that 1.24 crore coronavirus warriors and volunteers involved in preventive activities in containment zones and field surveillance.

A family member of a President's Estate staffer tested positive for COVID-19 Tuesday, following which the authorities asked 125 people, who had come in contact with the patient, to be under home quarantine. According to a statement from the Rashtrapati Bhawan, the woman who tested positive, had been in touch with a COVID-19 patient who died on April 13.

A housekeeper working with the Lok Sabha secretariat has also tested positive.

At least 27 people of Tamil news channel test positive in Chennai

A total of 27 journalists who worked with a Tamil TV channel have tested positive for Covid-19 till Tuesday. A senior official representing the Tamil Nadu Directorate of Public Health confirmed that all of them have been isolated in government facilities in Chennai and are receiving treatments. According to the official, the first case from the channel was reported on Monday.

Meanwhile, the managing director of the channel said they couldn't have prevented this at a time when many reporters were bringing reports from the ground. "At this point, it is our responsibility to cooperate with the state and Centre in measures being taken to fight this pandemic. We will not try to run the channel risking many lives. That will not be appropriate… We promise that we will work along with the government and follow further directions. We will come back soon with the entire strength and more reports," he said.

PM Modi, President Kovind, Venkaiah Naidu thank civil servants

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday took to Twitter to convey his greetings on the Civil Services Day. He also appreciated their efforts in ensuring India successfully defeats COVID-19. "Today, on Civil Services Day I convey greetings to all Civil Servants and their families. I appreciate their efforts in ensuring India successfully defeats COVID-19. They are working round the clock, assisting those in need and ensuring everyone is healthy," he tweeted.

President Kovind tweeted, "In the present times too, the steel frame of our country, the civil service, has shown its strength and resolve in handling COVID-19 situation, with sensitivity and professionalism. Confident that our civil services will continue to serve in the best traditions of public service." The president greeted present and former civil servants and their families on the occasion. Vice-president Venkaiah Naidu also greeted the civil servants.

Delhi govt will conduct COVID-19 test on mediapersons: Kejriwal

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday said his government will conduct COVID-19 test on mediapersons in the national capital, after 53 scribes tested positive for novel coronavirus in Mumbai. During a special camp organised at the Azad Maidan in Mumbai on April 16 and 17 for COVID-19 testing of scribes, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) had collected swab samples of 171 mediapersons, including electronic and print media journalists, photographers and cameramen.